09-07-2025, 01:27 PM
Hello everyone,
I’d like to continue my reflections, starting from my previous message about the PinePhone and the importance of having a real Linux alternative in the mobile world.
Over the years, there have been several attempts to create smartphones outside the Android ecosystem. Projects like Firefox OS and Ubuntu Touch appeared, but unfortunately didn’t last long.
As a long-time Linux user on desktop computers, there’s a strong desire to find the same freedom, transparency, and sense of community-driven development on a phone. On the desktop, there’s a wide variety of constantly evolving distributions.
On mobile, it’s a lot more complicated. Too often, promising projects disappear and users are left with very few true alternatives. That’s why I was glad, after several years of waiting, to discover the PinePhone.
As I said in my previous message, the PinePhone is essentially a prototype that mainly targets Linux enthusiasts. I am well aware that the general public isn’t necessarily drawn to this smartphone. Many people prefer a phone packed with apps and games. On top of that, almost everyone uses WhatsApp as their primary messaging app.
Regarding Signal, I just wanted to say it would have been great to have a preinstalled app, like Firefox, on the PinePhone. Still, I realize that’s not an easy task and the developers surely have other priorities. It’s nonetheless very positive that there’s already a functional desktop version.
I highlighted things like battery life and screen size, especially focusing on basic uses—calls, contacts, SMS—to lighten the developers’ workload and help them concentrate on the essentials.
The PinePhone project is currently on hold, which is really unfortunate. I understand, though, that this is a major challenge: even giants like Jeff Bezos abandoned his Firephone. Facebook, for its part, tried launching a smartphone with HTC and its “Facebook Home” overlay, but that project ended in failure. Even Microsoft tried and didn’t succeed...
I’ll finish on a note of puzzlement: how is it that manufacturers are able to produce robust, simple phones like Crosscall’s CORE-S5 (running MocorOS), but aren’t able to offer the same kind of device in an all-touch form, as a small smartphone? Such a device, both simple and easy for writing messages, seems like it would meet a real need.
Thank you all for taking the time to read.
I’d like to continue my reflections, starting from my previous message about the PinePhone and the importance of having a real Linux alternative in the mobile world.
Over the years, there have been several attempts to create smartphones outside the Android ecosystem. Projects like Firefox OS and Ubuntu Touch appeared, but unfortunately didn’t last long.
As a long-time Linux user on desktop computers, there’s a strong desire to find the same freedom, transparency, and sense of community-driven development on a phone. On the desktop, there’s a wide variety of constantly evolving distributions.
On mobile, it’s a lot more complicated. Too often, promising projects disappear and users are left with very few true alternatives. That’s why I was glad, after several years of waiting, to discover the PinePhone.
As I said in my previous message, the PinePhone is essentially a prototype that mainly targets Linux enthusiasts. I am well aware that the general public isn’t necessarily drawn to this smartphone. Many people prefer a phone packed with apps and games. On top of that, almost everyone uses WhatsApp as their primary messaging app.
Regarding Signal, I just wanted to say it would have been great to have a preinstalled app, like Firefox, on the PinePhone. Still, I realize that’s not an easy task and the developers surely have other priorities. It’s nonetheless very positive that there’s already a functional desktop version.
I highlighted things like battery life and screen size, especially focusing on basic uses—calls, contacts, SMS—to lighten the developers’ workload and help them concentrate on the essentials.
The PinePhone project is currently on hold, which is really unfortunate. I understand, though, that this is a major challenge: even giants like Jeff Bezos abandoned his Firephone. Facebook, for its part, tried launching a smartphone with HTC and its “Facebook Home” overlay, but that project ended in failure. Even Microsoft tried and didn’t succeed...
I’ll finish on a note of puzzlement: how is it that manufacturers are able to produce robust, simple phones like Crosscall’s CORE-S5 (running MocorOS), but aren’t able to offer the same kind of device in an all-touch form, as a small smartphone? Such a device, both simple and easy for writing messages, seems like it would meet a real need.
Thank you all for taking the time to read.
Gary2003 